Sheffield Wednesday: New Owls boss makes all the right noises

Dom Howson

As opening addresses to football supporters go, Carlos Carvalhal made a good first impression.

In 183 words on the club’s official website, Wednesday’s newly-appointed head coach ticked a number of boxes, passing his first test with flying colours.

Carvalhal, who has spent the bulk of his managerial career in Portugal, praised the Owls’ “amazing” fan-base - describing them as massive will have gone down well with the masses - and spoke of his pride at being chosen by chairman Dejphon Chansiri to take them forward.

Given he has managed 14 clubs in a 14-year coaching spell, with his longest stint lasting for three years, Carvalhal will be acutely aware he will quickly need to convince his new public he is the right person to restore the club to its former glories. The 49-year-old is aiming to “win the trust” of the fans, hinting at an attractive style of play. That will have been music to Wednesdayites ears as the club only won five times in their own backyard last season, scoring a dismal 16 goals.

A former centre back at Braga and Portugal U21 international, Carvalhal also admitted he is fulfilling a lifelong ambition by working in England and that he is excited at the prospect of being part of Chansiri’s big project.

“After my first contact with Mr Chansiri, I felt full of energy and ambition for this club,” he conceded. “He knows what he wants and the way to go there.

“The chairman of this project has this ambition and I have the same. I know our supporters do too.

“Let’s do a fantastic season with positive football and let’s enjoy our time together.”

Carvalhal will be officially unveiled at a press conference by Wednesday on Thursday, July 9. He took charge of his first training session yesterday as Owls’ players reported back for pre-season duty.

Ultimately, Carvalhal will be judged on backing up his positive words with good results.